Episodes
Monday May 02, 2016
Episode 1.8: Conventions
Monday May 02, 2016
Monday May 02, 2016
Conventions are both wonderful experiences as well as awesome networking opportunities for writers. In this episode, seasoned con runner Michael Lee joins the Mad Writers. He talks about his experience becoming a conrunner and his history in the Convention circuit. Beyond that he talks about ways especially those new to conventions can get the most out of their experience. The Mad Writers join Michael in giving examples of how to get to know people during conventions and talk about what to do in your first convention to make sure that you have the best con experience. And since all is not fun and games, the panel also talks about the darker side of conventions, both on the side of the conrunners and the congoers and discusses best practices on how to deal with situations while there's still time to do something about them.
Notable Notes:
- CONvergence
- 4th Street Fantasy
- Worldcon
- Helsinki Worldcon aka Worldcon 75
- World Fantasy Convention
- Michael Lee: @michaellorg
Recommended reading:
Michael's recommendation: Alexander Hamilton by Ron ChernowMonday Apr 18, 2016
Episode 1.7: Critique
Monday Apr 18, 2016
Monday Apr 18, 2016
Critique is important for any writer their quest to become better. We are often blind to our own failings in the ways that are not obvious. Even more often we are blind to the things that are awesome in our own work. Having people, especially other writers, who can read our work with an eye toward improving can be the thin red line separating us from being aspiring to taking us to that coveted state of "published". Likewise, giving critique can be very good for your own writing. In this episode, the Mad Writers discuss various methods of critique. They also talk about best practices in giving and receiving critique.
Notable Notes
- Milford Style Workshopping
- Claire Light's Workshopping guidelines
- Turkey City Lexicon
- ABCD method:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgFE2W9qICo
- Jilly Dreadful's Brainery
- Cat Rambo's online workshops
Recommended reads
Tim's recommendation: The Player of Games (Culture) by Iain M. BanksTuesday Apr 05, 2016
Episode 1.6: Keep working
Tuesday Apr 05, 2016
Tuesday Apr 05, 2016
Listeners may have noticed a bit of an unscheduled break recently. This was mainly due to life happening to all the Mad Writers at once aka our various lairs of Mad Writing getting melted down or exploded. As it happens, we were all going through different types of things so we thought we would talk about them, just in case it also proved useful to our listeners.
Notable notes
- FXXK WRITING: Work and endurance in the wake of an emotional bruise by Jason Ridler
- Sometimes Writers Block is really Depression by Mary Robinette Kowal
- Depression lies by Jenny Lawson
- Life on 10,000 Words a Day: How I’m Hacking My Writing Process by Kameron Hurley
- Bullet journal
Recommended reading
Tim's recommendation: Sex Criminals by Matt Fraction and Chip Zdarsky Jay's recommendation: Vlad Taltos series (beginning with Jhereg) by Steven Brüst Nina's recommendation: Bookburners Season 1 by Max Gladstone, Margaret Dunlap, Mur Lafferty, Brian Francis SlatteryThursday Mar 10, 2016
Episode 1.5: Working it!
Thursday Mar 10, 2016
Thursday Mar 10, 2016
This week our intrepid Mad Writers are discussing online workshops, where to find them, how to choose, and everything in between.The mad writers have all taken various online workshops from various instructors. Since lifelong learning is important we wanted to share our expertise with you.
Notable notes
- Cat Rambo's online in-person workshops
- The Brainery
- Cat Rambo's online on demand workshops
- Tempest Bradford's classes
Recommended Reading
Tim's recommendation: Among Others (Hugo Award Winner - Best Novel) by Jo WaltonJay's recommendation: Uncanny Magazine Issue 9: March/April 2016
Nina's recommendation: Aftermath: Star Wars: Journey to Star Wars: The Force Awakens by Chuck Wendig
Monday Feb 22, 2016
Episode 1.4: Making Your Characters Suffer
Monday Feb 22, 2016
Monday Feb 22, 2016
In this episode of Mad Writers Union, Nina is having problems making her characters suffer. She is aware that causing pain to the characters she loves is good for the readers because that's how fiction works. But it's still hard for her which is where Tim and Jay step in to help her.
Notable notes:
- Take Off Your Pants!: Outline Your Books for Faster, Better Writing: Revised Edition by Libbie Hawker
- Leverage (TV series)
- Gentleman Bastard (3 Book Series) by Scott Lynch
- The Stainless Steel Rat by Harry Harrison
Recommended reading:
Tim's recommendation: The Hot Rock by Donald WestlakeJay's recommendation: Jack of Shadows (Rediscovered Classics) by Roger Zelazny
Nina's recommendation: Valour and Vanity (Glamourist Histories) by Mary Robinette Kowal
Monday Feb 08, 2016
Episode 1.3: Impostor Syndrome
Monday Feb 08, 2016
Monday Feb 08, 2016
On this episode of Mad Writers Union we talk about the thing that plagues most creative people in one form or another: Impostor Syndrome. We talk about just what it is, who gets it and most of all, how to get rid of it. Whatever you do, remember: you are not alone.
Articles referenced
- Aidan Doyle's The Science Fiction Writer's Hierarchy of Doubt
- Kameron Hurley Don't Tell Me I'm Talented
Writer communities
Recommended reading:
Tim's recommendation: To Say Nothing of the Dog by Connie WillisJay's recommendation: Clarkesworld Issue 112
Nina's recommendation: Indexing: Reflections (Indexing Series) by Seanan McGuire
Monday Jan 25, 2016
Episode 1.2: Setting Goals
Monday Jan 25, 2016
Monday Jan 25, 2016
Monday Jan 11, 2016
Episode 1.1: Achieving Goals
Monday Jan 11, 2016
Monday Jan 11, 2016
On the introductory episode of Mad Writers Union we discuss setting goals and setting yourself up to achieve them. What does it take to create goals that actually help you to achieve them? What else can you do to help yourself to achieve your goals?
- SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Time bound goals)
- WOOP (Wish, Outcome, Obstacle, Plan) from the book Rethinking Positive Thinking: Inside the New Science of Motivation by Gabriele Oettingen
- Cue, routine, reward from the book The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business by Charles Duhigg